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Spanish Cup will cap end of Guardiola era

Athletic Bilbao are the team that can ruin the goodbye party for Pep Guardiola as Barcelona seek Copa del Rey glory.

24 May 2012 14:49 GMT

Star player Lionel Messi will look to secure a cup final victory for Guardiola [GALLO/GETTY]

Barcelona can cap four illustrious years under Pep Guardiola with a 14th trophy when they play Athletic Bilbao in Friday's Copa del Rey final.

The match at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon stadium will be Guardiola's last in charge of the team, ending an unprecedented period of success for Barcelona since the former player took charge in 2008.

"He's got that intense look about him"

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta on Guardiola

The 41-year-old Guardiola will be looking to finish the way he started, as a 4-1 cup victory over Athletic three years ago provided the first prize for his trophy cabinet.

Ready to hand over the coaching duties to his assistant and good friend Tito Vilanova, Guardiola will look at the game as an opportunity to cap a season that started well but finished poorly.

Barcelona haven't played a meaningful game in one month after they lost to eventual Champions League winner Chelsea in the semifinals, just days after losing to Real Madrid to surrender their three-year hold on the Spanish league.